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Virginia Rufin Obituary

Virginia Dare Rufin, of Metairie, Louisiana, is dancing with the angels. She passed away peacefully at her home in DeLimon Place on June 28, 2023, surrounded by family members and friends. She will be remembered by many for her signature smile, her unending energy and her impeccable style. She was a loyal and cherished member of Munholland Methodist Church for the past few years and Trinity Episcopal Church prior to that. Virginia Dare was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where she lived with her parents, Denis Edward Rufin Jr and Elvina Loeffel Rufin along with her brother, Denis Edward Rufin III in the Garden District. Virginia Dare graduated from Isidore Newman High School (class of '54) before completing an Associate in Arts degree from Stephens College (class of '56), a Bachelor of Arts at Southern Methodist University (class of '58), and finally a Master of Science at Tulane University in 1964. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. Her professional career saw her work as a buyer for DH Holmes as well as a short stint in fashion design before starting her main career as a Speech Therapist when she started Rufin Speech & Language Center. She passionately continued this work until 2021, helping and saving numerous patients over the years. She was also the head of the Speech Pathology Department at St Mary's Dominican College. She was a respected and admired pillar in her field. She was an active member of the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon and Southern Yacht Club. Virginia Dare was a devout Christian all her life. She was very active at Trinity Episcopal Church for years, until she discovered the most welcoming family of Munholland Methodist Church during Covid, where she happily remained until her passing. She sang in the choir, was a Lector Reader and belonged to numerous organizations like Cursillo and the P.E.O Sisterhood where she was also very involved. She was extremely generous with her time and care. She touched so many people. She worked closely with the New Orleans archdiocese and the New Orleans Seminary to help non-native English-speaking priests perfect their diction. Besides the church, Virginia Dare loved to travel. She spent several years living in Redondo Beach, California, spent about 6 months living in Europe with her brother's family who were living in Belgium at the time. During this time, she discovered her love of skiing. This moved her to become very active in the New Orleans Ski Club upon her return, organizing and leading adult groups and children's groups to various mountain resorts around the country. Her travels took her across North America, throughout Europe as well as to one of her favorite places, the Holy Land. Along the way, she met so many wonderful people who have remained friends to this day. Organizing was one of her talents and she put this to good use for many of her social, religious and ski groups. In her later years, she enjoyed all that New Orleans had to offer with her friend, Dabney Ewin. Her friends and anyone who knew her, will always remember her infectious positive energy and joie de vivre. Her positive attitude was always there to help lift their spirits. Family, friends and church were of the utmost importance to her. She was always ready to help. She was especially proud of her grand-niece, Claire Rufin and supported her in all her endeavors. She loved watching the Saints, loved dancing, hated red gravy and her face would light up the moment a party was mentioned. She never met a stranger. In true Rufin fashion, she would spark up a conversation with anyone she encountered. Virginia Dare is survived by her niece, Christina Yollande Rufin, her two nephews, Denis Reinhard and Alexander Ludwig Rufin, her grand-niece, Claire Annalee Rufin, as well as all her many Rufin and Riecke cousins who all played a very important part in her life, particularly Peggy and Ray Riecke as well as Betty Champagne. Preceding her in death were her parents, Denis Edward Rufin Jr and Elvina Loeffel Rufin; her brother Denis Edward Rufin III. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 8th at Munholland Methodist Church located at 1201 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA 70005. Visitation starts at 10 AM, service to follow at 10:45 AM. Reception with family and friends from 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to Ochsner Cancer Center,1514 Jefferson Hwy STE 1E617 Jefferson, LA 70121 or online at giving.ochsner.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Jul. 5 to Jul. 7, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Rufin

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Mary Lou Jordan Janoe

July 22, 2025

I just learned about Virginia Dares passing.She was truly a very remarkable person.Our friendship began at Newman and continued on to S.M.U and a member of Delta Gamma Sorority.She will be greatly missed!My sincere condolences to her family.... Mary Lou Janoe

Charlotte H Little

November 2, 2023

11-2-23 I just learned of Virginia Dare´s passing today via a mutual friend I worked on staff with Virginia at Rufin Speech and Language and also Jefferson Parish Public School System There are actually no words that accurately describe my respect for her in the field of speech pathology She was amazing, having worked with and experience with practically every speech and/or language disorder known to man. she was a wealth of information and fortunately, freely shared her knowledge and expertise. additionally, she was a classy Southern lady who genuinely loved people. Virginia is and will be missed among her professional colleagues and friends and family. to know her was to love her!

Sr Judene Lillie, O.P.

July 16, 2023

I have known and enjoyed more than 40 years the friendship and kindness of Virginia Dare. First at St. Mary's Dominican College and other activities and fun visits when I lived in Boston and great moments with her mother and many friends while in New Orleans. Virginia Dare was a joy to be with and a beloved friend. My prayers for her continued spreading of joy in heaven!

pat loewe

July 15, 2023

What a wonderful person. She was a dear friend from DH Holmes, Ski Club, and personally a most important person in our son's life success. Her kindness, vitality, ethical sensibility, knowledge, and spirituality are her enviable legacy. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends. She was truly one of a kind. I am blessed to have known her.
Pat Loewe

MaryAnn Culotta, OP

July 11, 2023

My prayer and condolences to Virginia Dare's family and friends.
she was loved at Dominican College.
Sincerely, Mary Ann Culotta, OP

Mary Ann Culotta, OP

July 11, 2023

I am so sorry to hear of Virginia's death. I worked at Dominican College with her. She was a delight to be around. I will miss seeing her around in New Orleans. I didn't know of her death until today. My sincere condolences to family and friends.

Peg Nations

July 8, 2023

I´m so incredibly thankful that I had the immense pleasure of meeting this most impressive lady at a Cursillo Christmas party three years ago.. her genuine, infectious personality made her so easy to love.. Heaven has gained a beautiful Angel and I will surely miss her.
Peg Nations

Anna Clara

July 8, 2023

I was charmed by Virginia, as we had a lot in common & for her brightness-that glow about her. She & were roommates when we served for Cursillo #155, i believe it was. I was saddened to here she had passed away. Saddened for her family, her friends, & those whom came in contact with her! Sincerely, Anna Clara Gayle

Brenda Marks

July 8, 2023

Virginia carried the ultimate expression of love for God that comes from within---Strength, Courage and Dignity. She often gave encouraging words. She will be missed. My condolences to her family.

Marcia Cooke

July 7, 2023

Virginia Dare was indeed the adventurous soul and positive, caring friend described. May her soul rest in well-earned peace and joy.

Mavis Mayer

July 7, 2023

I had the wonderful experience of working with Virginia Dare as one of her staff as a Speech Pathologist. She will be remembered as an example and mentor. RIP, dear Virginia. Mavis Mayer.

Adair Ewin Faust

July 6, 2023

What a terrific loss to all of us! This modest and gracious lady was the polar opposite of self-indulgent. She was ALWAYS totally focused on the person she was speaking to and on the subject of conversation. Whether that subject was a current movie or the NFL or medieval architecture or space exploration or classical languages or home improvement or costume design or modern art or public figures or Biblical stories or electronic repairs or street flooding or recipes or anything in between and beyond...she listened carefully, her eyes sparkling with interest, and responded enthusiastically with keen observation and wit. When challenged, or challenging someone else, on any point, she held her own firmly, and gently, calmly, kindly and graciously. She was wonderful company and a wonderful example. I wish I had known her longer will miss her very much.

Diane Wade

July 6, 2023

I will remember her for her style, grace, and spirit.

Beverly Devier

July 6, 2023

So many memories from our SMU and Delta Gamma days. We were called before the Dean of Women for our collaborating with Virginia Dare when she got locked out of the sorority house. She knocked on the window of our freshman dorm where we took her in for the night. We freshman bonded with our senior pledge trainer for that prank. Loved her inspiration

Dr Sarah Sloan Kreutziger

July 5, 2023

Virginia Dare was unique is so many ways that her passing leaves a huge hole in the universe. We will miss our dear friend at Munholland, in Cursillo, PEO, and all the other ways she served. God bless her for the wonderful, Christ-filled legacy she leaves. Keith and Sarah Kreutziger

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Memorial Events
for Virginia Rufin

Jul

8

Visitation

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Munholland Methodist Church

1201 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA

Jul

8

Service

10:45 a.m.

Munholland Methodist Church

1201 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA

Funeral services provided by:

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

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